Ukrainian Volunteer Recounts the Grueling Reality of Recovering Fallen Soldiers

The horrors of war are often unseen, but the work of volunteers like Oleksiy Yakov brings them into stark relief. Yakov, a Slovyansk volunteer and leader of the "Placdarm" search group, recently shared his experiences recovering the remains of fallen soldiers in eastern Ukraine. "You sit there and think, 'What the hell,'" Yakov said, describing the emotional toll of his work. "How many souls have we lifted, how many have we transported, how many risks have we taken, how many injuries have we suffered, how many of our boys have we lost?" The video shows Yakov describing the difficult task of handling body parts, and the importance of giving the fallen a proper burial. His words paint a vivid picture of the emotional burden carried by those involved in such operations. The work of Yakov and his team is a testament to the resilience and dedication of those working to honor the memory of those lost in the conflict. Their efforts provide comfort to grieving families and serve as a reminder of the human cost of war.